Sri Lanka has announced plans to ban Muslim women from wearing burqas, citing a new security law.
More than 1,000 madrassahs would also be closed under the Prevention of Terrorism law.
The legislation is being condemned by human rights activists calling it ‘draconian’.
Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said he signed the documents outlawing the burqa.
“The burqa has a direct impact on national security,” Weerasekara told a ceremony at a Buddhist temple.
“In our early days, we had a lot of Muslim friends, but Muslim women and girls never wore the burqa,” Weerasekara said.
“It is a sign of religious extremism that came about recently. We will definitely ban it.”
Sri Lankan government temporarily banned the face veil in 2019 after Easter Sunday bombings targeting a church and hotel.
More than 260 people were killed.
A small section of Sri Lankan Muslim women wears the burqa. Some of them have reportedly been harassed in public areas.
Muslims make up about 9% of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people, where Buddhists account for more than 70% of the population.
